India’s Medal Chances in 2014 Commonwealth Games

Four years down the line, in their own backyard, the Indian contingent created history by winning 101 (38 Gold+ 27 Silver+ 36 Bronze) medals in the 2010 New Delhi Commonwealth Games. Now as the FIFA World Cup drew to a close, the action is slowly shifting towards the 2014 Commonwealth Games which is scheduled to take place in the Scottish capital, Glasgow. The Indian contingent are leaving the country in batches to take part in the Games and also expressed confidence in doing well and win medals for the countries. Out of the 17 disciplines, Indians will be a part of 14 which does not include Triathlon, Rugby and Netball. With the athletes confident of exceeding the medal tally this time, we bring you the prospects of Indians in each and every discipline.

Athletics:

The Indian women’s 4*400 metres relay team which won a gold in the 2010 Commonwealth Games was hit with a doping scandal ahead of the 2012 London Olympics and the Athletics federation of India failed to make a team ready for the games. But now for the games, their hopes of defending the Gold from Delhi games rely on the legs of MR Poovamma.

Tintu Luka is yet another prospect of winning a medal in women’s 800 metres. Trained by legendary Indian athlete P.T. Usha, Tintu will be itching to make her teacher proud by winning a medal. Ashwini Akkunji hold all aces in the 400 metres Hurdles and will look to get the medal which she missed out in 2010.

All eyes will be on HM Jyothi, who is the first Indian sprinter to take part in a 100 m in over a decade. She is peaking at the right time and she will face a huge competitions from Jamaican sprinters. If she manage to better her past performances, she can easily go all the way for a medal. Long Jumper and triple jumper Mayookha Johny is a favourite to win a medal in the Games. Once again, Krishna Poonia will look to defend her Gold medal and will face some tough competition from her counterpart Seema Antil and Harwant Kaur.

As far as the men’s category is concerned, it will be a bonus if someone manages to claim a medal in the track events. But, in the field events, the men have a pretty good chance of winning a medal in men’s triple jump which will be spearheaded by Arpinder Singh. Om Prakash Kharana and Vikas Gowda holds a probability of winning a medal in men’s Shot Put and Discuss Throw respectively.

Badminton:

Badminton is one of the event where India can easily win three to four medals. In the women’s category, in the absence of Saina Nehwal, P.V. Sindhu holds key and if she performs to her potential, she can easily go all the way for a gold. In the women’s doubles, India have Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa who can strike Gold.

In the men’s draw, Lee Chong Wei’s absence makes India’s P Kashyap a favourite for a Gold. But if he manages to clinch Gold, it will be a huge achievement. But both the men’s prospects Kashyap and K Srikanth has the potential to win medals. India, as a whole can make it to the podium in the Mixed team event. It will be a huge bonus if PC Thulasi, RMV Guru Sai Dutt manages to make it to the podium.

Boxing:

In the men’s boxing, each and every boxer has a chance of winning a medal. In the women’s controversy, which is making its debut in the Games, India might surely feel the absence of Olympic bronze medallist MC Marykom. Apart from Sarita Devi, the other women pugilists are inexperienced and if the maintain the standards they had during the trials, they can bring honours for the country.

Gymnastics:

India can win few medals from Gymnastics if they manage to repeat their performances in the National trials. Ashish Kumar will lead the Gymnastics contingent and will look to better his performances from the last CWG.

Hockey:

It would be a poor performance if both men and women’s hockey team fail to make it to the semi-finals of the semi-finals. A medal from either of the team can be expected.

Shooting:

India go into the Commonwealth Games as the favourites in shooting and can sweep the medal’s in the event. India can expect around 10-15 medals from shooting alone.

Squash:

Sourav Goshal and Dipika Palikkal are hot favourites to be at the podium at the end of the men’s and women’s squash tournaments respectively. Men’s doubles team of Goshal and Harinder Paul Singh too are favourites to win the medals and so is women’s doubles duo of Dipika and Joshna Chinappa. If Goshal and Dipika manage to win the doubles, India can make a complete sweep of the squash events in the Games.

Swimming:

No one apart from Sandeep Sejwal has the chance of winning the medal.

Table Tennis:

A lot of hopes were rested on Sharath Kamal to win a medal in the men’s singles category. In the women’s doubles, Ankita Das and Poulami Ghatak will look to add a medal to the country’s tally. It will be a bonus if India manages a medal in the team events.

Weight Lifting:

Indian will look for atleast two from the weight lifting with Sukhen Dey and Katalu Ravi Kumar favourites to win.

Wrestling:

India are sending a big Wrestling contingent and are expected to win 6-8 medlas from the event. Men’s wrestlers Sushil Kumar, Ygeshwar Dutt, Bhajrand and Amit Singh are clear favourites to win a gold. Women’s wrestlers are expected to fare well and contribute a medal or two towards the nation’s tally.

India doesn’t possess a chance of winning any medals in cycling, Lawn Balls and Para Sports.

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